The Survivors

On September 6, 2017 Anguilla experienced a Cat 5+ hurricane. Although we got pretty lucky that the storm only lasted about 8 hours, the island took a terrible hit to both human structures and nature. 

The north wall of Hurricane Irma ran over the top of Anguilla destroying many of the old houses we all know and love, it also destroyed many of the older large trees that I have admired since coming to Anguilla in 1990. 

It was sad indeed to drive around the island seeing these beautiful giants torn from their home. 

But, some remained, they fought the hurricane and lived. Although we were very busy supplying generators around the island, I got the urge to paint a few of the "Survivors". I even used some hurricane lumber to paint a few of them. 

The old Tamarind tree on Meads Bay is still standing proud. A slim coconut tree on the way into the Valley is making new fronds. A Loblolly tree left standing in the Albert Lake memorial on the way to Shoal Bay is eye catching in the morning light and a tiny little tree on the point in Sandy Ground remains tough in the sea spray. 

Knowing how difficult it is to survive in Anguilla's harsh climate, I have always admired all of the trees that live here. Perhaps I will do more as I come upon them.